AT&T Video (formerly Cingular Video)
Visit the carrier's Web site to purchase this product.
CNET Editors' Review
CNET Editors' Rating
- Reviewed by: Nicole Lee
- Reviewed on:
The good: Cingular Video offers a great selection of affordable streaming-video content; premium services from HBO through HBO Mobile and HBO Family Mobile; exclusive Cingular content; and speedy video streaming.
The bad: Video is not near TV quality, and live action shots are especially murky. Plus, Cingular Video has a limited coverage area.
The bottom line: Cingular Video is a great addition to Cingular's new 3G service, fully making use of the high-speed connection for streaming high-quality video content. What's more, exclusive content and premium services put Cingular Video over the top.
Editor's note: Since we reviewed this service its name has been changed to AT&T Video.
After CDMA carriers Sprint and Verizon got a head start with high-speed EV-DO content services such as Sprint's Power Vision and Verizon's V Cast network, respectively, Cingular finally got on board last month with its own high-speed UMTS 3G service. Along with speeding up Cingular's existing Media Net Internet access, UMTS also led to the launch of Cingular Video, the network's brand-new, on-demand video-streaming service. Much like its CDMA predecessors, Cingular Video offers a variety of short video clips ... Expand full review
Editor's note: Since we reviewed this service its name has been changed to AT&T Video.
After CDMA carriers Sprint and Verizon got a head start with high-speed EV-DO content services such as Sprint's Power Vision and Verizon's V Cast network, respectively, Cingular finally got on board last month with its own high-speed UMTS 3G service. Along with speeding up Cingular's existing Media Net Internet access, UMTS also led to the launch of Cingular Video, the network's brand-new, on-demand video-streaming service. Much like its CDMA predecessors, Cingular Video offers a variety of short video clips from different news and entertainment sources. In order to get Cingular Video, you need to have a video- and 3G-ready phone, plus you'll want Cingular's Unlimited Media Net package at $19.99 a month for unlimited data usage. The video service itself is included in the package, though if you want premium content such as HBO Mobile, you'll have to fork out additional fees.
Programming and features
Cingular Video has 10 basic-programming providers included in the unlimited Media Net plan: NBC Mobile, CNN, Fox Mobile, Fox News, ESPN, Fox Sports, Cartoon Network Mobile, Disney Mobile, iFilm, and the Weather Channel. Content is then divided into different sections: TV to Go, News and Weather, Sports, and Entertainment. The TV to Go section features clips from popular TV programs such as Desperate Housewives and The Tonight Show. With News and Weather, you get a choice of video from NBC, CNN, Fox, and the Weather Channel. In Sports, there are the NCAA Championship highlights, ESPN news, Fox Sports news, Nascar.com To Go, Richard Childress Racing, the Speed Channel, and Fuel TV. As for Entertainment, the options are Access Hollywood, Music, TV Guide Channel, Adult Swim (which is billed as Cartoon Network's programming for adults), HBO Mobile Preview (if subscribed), and Movies. The Movies category doesn't actually have full movies listed, however; you'll get only movie trailers, viral videos, and movie reviews.
There are three premium services available--HBO Mobile, HBO Family Mobile, and Music Choice--if you're willing to pay an additional fee (see below). Cingular has an exclusive partnership with HBO, which enables you to see short previews and video clips of popular HBO shows such as The Sopranos and Entourage. You'll also get short stand-up performances from HBO Comedy, as well as HBO Boxing and Real Sports commentary from HBO Sports. As mentioned, there's also HBO Family Mobile for the younger audience, which includes full-length episodes of select children's programming. Finally, there's Music Choice, which you can use to stream music videos.
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Nicole Lee is a senior associate editor for CNET, covering cell phones, Bluetooth headsets, and all things mobile. She's also a fan of comic books, video games, and of course, shiny gadgets.
User Reviews
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Showing 3 of 6 reviews
"Help! How do I turn it off?" By mrtymcgrth
Pros: lost the original phone, a Pantech; now have older Samsung on which I can't see the videos, but still get the notices...want to stop subscription but can't find anywhere to STOP...???
Cons: lost the original phone, a Pantech; now have older Samsung on which I can't see the videos, but still get the notices...want to stop subscription but can't find anywhere to STOP...???
Summary: this is about the cingular / AT&T video service!! this article says it's closed, but SOMEone's sending me urgent notices of new postings!! Need to shut it off, can't see on current phone...mrtymcgrth@yahoo.com
"OMG I Cannot Believe It!" By HawkStyles.com
Pros: Its Pretty, Thats It
Cons: Shuts itself down, Loses signal, etc...
Summary: I have a problem with mine in which I bought on tuesday! The 17th. Unbelievable, It just shut itself down for absolutely no reason in the middle of my phone call!
Well all I can say is it doesnt get a signal at all now after about 3 reboots!
***??
Any ... Expand full review
Where to Buy
Visit the carrier's Web site to purchase this product.
